Where to buy a 5D mark I?

[Mr Will]

As in the title really; I'm looking to pick up a 5D in the very near future but I'm not really sure where to look. Are there any good forums/classifieds for photography gear you'd recommend, or is careful shopping on eBay going to be my best way forward?

[DavidY]

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

As good as pricing as eBay, selection of cameras and some form of warranty!

[Mr Will]

Thanks, they do seem to have a few and a 6 month warranty isn't to be sniffed at!

[Craikeybaby]

I got mine from www.ffordes.co.uk, it also came with a 6 month warranty (which I needed to use).

[tog]

There was one in the window of T4 Cameras in Swindon at the weekend. They are good people and I've got all my gear from them for years.

http://www.t4cameras.co.uk/preowned/swindon/

[Mr Will]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I picked this up (Lens & Camera) from MPB a couple of days ago any am loving it so far:

[Seight_Returns]

Good call - I've got a 7D and a bag full of glass that I'm finally happy with - but I keep thinking that an original 5D with a 50/1.4 would make an awesome and cost effective portrait and narrow depth of field tool to go with it.

Full Frame entry level drug though - bet you'll have a 5Diii in 6 months time.

[Mr Will]

Seight_Returns said:

Good call - I've got a 7D and a bag full of glass that I'm finally happy with - but I keep thinking that an original 5D with a 50/1.4 would make an awesome and cost effective portrait and narrow depth of field tool to go with it.

Full Frame entry level drug though - bet you'll have a 5Diii in 6 months time.

Fingers crossed it'll last me a good few years, I've got a lot of glass to buy first and a lot of accessories as well!

[pete]

Good choice.

I'm still using my original 5D after 6 years and can't work out what to replace it with. Probably a 5Diii, as my main requirement is better AF, and my days of carrying two bodies are behind me. The old 5D is still a better camera than I am a photographer!

Pete

[Mr Will]

M4FFU said:

I keep thinking about picking up a 5Dc as an entry to full frame. My 7D is super, but I can't help but love the subject isolation you get on full frame with a ~1.8 prime.

Go on, you know you want to! Just in case you need any convincing, here's a test shot from the night I got it:


(Taken by lamp-light at f1.4 and 1600 ISO)

[Craikeybaby]

Mr Will said:

Thanks for all the advice guys, I picked this up (Lens & Camera) from MPB a couple of days ago any am loving it so far:

That is the set up for most of my photos these days.

[Seight_Returns]

Mr Will said:

Go on, you know you want to! Just in case you need any convincing, here's a test shot from the night I got it:


(Taken by lamp-light at f1.4 and 1600 ISO)

Nice shot and I'm So tempted.

What f stop did you use for that if you don't mind me asking.

I'm pretty well bought into APS-C with a 10-22, 17-55 , 15-85 and 18-55IS.

But i've got 35/2, 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 and 70-300L, all of which would work with a 5D Mki.

I've bought most of my lenses from MPB and have every confidence in them - and their price for 5D Mk1 is good - my wife would freak but it'd be worth a couple of nights on the sofa ......

[tog]

Seight_Returns said:

But i've got 35/2, 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 and 70-300L, all of which would work with a 5D Mki.

The 35/2 is lovely on full frame. Apart from three or four on a 135mm, all these were shot on a 5D Mk1 and a 35/2, usually wide open. It's such small, light combo it is a great 'travelling light' option. I have the 1.4 as well now, but still use the f2 regularly. The 85/1.8 is my other favourite lens.

[markmullen]

I can recommend the 135 F2 on full frame, a lovely combination.

[Mr Will]

Seight_Returns said:

Nice shot and I'm So tempted.

What f stop did you use for that if you don't mind me asking.

I'm pretty well bought into APS-C with a 10-22, 17-55 , 15-85 and 18-55IS.

But i've got 35/2, 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 and 70-300L, all of which would work with a 5D Mki.

I've bought most of my lenses from MPB and have every confidence in them - and their price for 5D Mk1 is good - my wife would freak but it'd be worth a couple of nights on the sofa ......

That was at 1.4, but mainly for lighting rather than DoF reasons.

[Citrus7]

My 5D mk1 was probably my favourite camera ever for portraits. Actually thinking of buying another one and MPB seem good bet.

Example I took with 5D years ago. Always loved the skin tones and level of detail it captured.



Enjoy your great camera

Dave.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

Bump...

I just bought a 5D as a step up from my equally elderly 20D that I've been using for five years. The level of extra detail it captures is astonishing! Only using the 50mm 1.8 with it, but it's very impressive, all the images I've taken since I got it this morning just seem to have a nice quality that's hard to describe. Obviously I took a crap photo of my moody cat with it (compressed by Facebook too), and I'm bidding on a 85mm 1.8 and 40mm 2.8 on eBay now too...

[Craikeybaby]

5D & 20D are a good combination, the controls are pretty much identical.

What is the going rate for a 5D these days? I fancy getting a Fuji X100S, but the 5D would have to go.

[Mr Will]

Craikeybaby said:

5D & 20D are a good combination, the controls are pretty much identical.

What is the going rate for a 5D these days? I fancy getting a Fuji X100S, but the 5D would have to go.

I paid £479 for mine from MPB and it's pretty much immaculate with a 6 month warranty.

[Mr Will]

TimmyWimmyWoo said:

Bump...

I just bought a 5D as a step up from my equally elderly 20D that I've been using for five years. The level of extra detail it captures is astonishing! Only using the 50mm 1.8 with it, but it's very impressive, all the images I've taken since I got it this morning just seem to have a nice quality that's hard to describe. Obviously I took a crap photo of my moody cat with it (compressed by Facebook too), and I'm bidding on a 85mm 1.8 and 40mm 2.8 on eBay now too...

Good to hear someone else enjoying one. I've not had a lot of chance to use mine recently but I still love it to bits.

Unless you intend to replace your 50mm, I'd suggest skipping the 40mm and going for something wider. 85mm 1.8 is firmly on my "to purchase" list though!